According to the National Crime Records Bureau, Sikkim in 2012 recorded the highest rate in the country at 29.1 suicides per one lakh population. Altogether 181 people, including 85 females, had committed suicide in Sikkim in 2012.

Ghatani said the health department along with STNM Hospital has taken the initiative of starting a special clinic for clients undergoing depression treatment at the medical facility.

He said the idea of running a Depression Specialty Clinic was a conscious effort not only at extending services but also to mitigate the stigma that is attached to mental illness.

The minister also administered a pledge on no tobacco and drug abuse and urged the people to coordinate and cooperate for sensitising other people about mental illness and its cure.

Indian Administrative Service is the steel frame of bureaucracy. Wikimedia Commons

BY SHANTAM SAHAI

Indian Administrative Service (IAS), as described by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is the steel frame upon which the bureaucracy rests. No matter how many times the government changes, if we have good IAS officers, they would ensure good governance. Since the decades that have passed after Independence, doubts over the competence of the Indian Administrative Service have been raised. People wished to know if the steel frame is still strong, or has it became rusty and weak?

The answer lies in these dynamic and dedicated IAS officers who are doing wonders in their districts through fresh ideas. They are actually changing the country for the better!

1. Rohini R. Bhajibhakare

Rohini Bhajibhakare is the daughter of a marginal farmer who became the first woman collector in Tamil Nadu in 1790. She is known for her people-centric governance.

She conducts surprise checks in government hospitals.

Keeps in touch with officials through WhatsApp.

Also, gives pep talks to school students.

Even visits the rural areas to directly listen to grievances of the people.

Banned the use of plastic or polythene articles on the Collectorate campus.

She has recently been appointed the collector of Salem district.

Salem District Collectorate. Wikimedia Commons

2. Ronald Rose

A 2006 batch IAS officer of the Telangana cadre, Ronald had single-handedly ensured the effective implementation of government initiatives in the district and taken it to the forefront of the rural development in the state. He is a man who is driving an amazing transformation of Mahbubnagar district of Telangana.

Villages have become free of open defecation.

Farmers use organic methods.

Soak pits have been successfully dug in the houses.

Haritha Haaram programme, a large-scale tree-planting campaign has also been successful.

3. Saurabh Kumar

A 2009-batch IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre, Saurabh Kumar converted a Naxal-hit Palnar village to a cashless village post demonetisation, despite the village had no cellular connectivity.

Lunch with the Collector

Kumar understands how lack of education and unemployment could lead the youth towards violence and extremism. Hence, he introduced counselling sessions to help students make the right career choice. These sessions involve Saurabh and other senior officials directly interacting with the students.

Through this thoughtful initiative, he has earned the respect of the locals of Dantewada.